Help me decide what I need please...

[DJ-phYre]

OK I am fixing to buy a PVR for my PC. I recently had a TV Wonder Pro, but I hated ATIs support and their MMC was crap because I couldn't upgrade to 9.0

Anyways, I am trying to decide which one I need, what software I need, and if I need an IR Blaster / Remote.

I am not going to be actually watching TV on my desktop that much. I am basically buying the PVR and things just so I can record my favorite TV shows and other stuff.

I have been told that if I have the remote and set it to work with my Satellite Reciever then I can setup BTV to Auto-Tune to that channel so that it will start the recording. Is this correct?

I was also told that if I just wanted to record TV and not actually watch TV on my desktop not to purchase BTV and just get a Hauppauge PVR and it came with some software to do what I wanted. Is this correct?

Basically I am just trying to decide if I need:
Beyond TV
IR Remote

Please let me know any info...

[merk]

i havent used the tv recording tools that come with the hauppauge pvr250.

give the price of beyond tv, i think its a worth while investment. Lets you schedule to record an individual show, only new shows, all shows. You can search for a show by title, keyword or browse the built in tv guide. PLus it has a web interface too so if you want to you could set it up so that you could log into your machine while away from home and schedule recordings or whatnot.

And if you cant do that, you can log into www.snapstream.net and schedule a recording from there. The BTV software checks that site every 15 minutes.

not sure about the sattelite box ... i think it can do that. I just have mine plugged right into the cable line since i dont have any scrambled channels i worry about.

as for the remote ... i would probably get that as well. I didnt get one for myself because i got a wireless keyboard and mouse instead since i needed a keyboard and mouse anyhow. although i am considering getting the remote too now since it seems like it would be easier with the remote then with the keyboard/mouse.

i would get BTV first though... defintely a very good program.

[Eric3a]

The Hauppage software is rather useless for Sat recording: It doesn't have the line-up and can't change channels on the receiver. So that's the end of that. Plus the interface is made to be used from your computer, not from a TV.

BTV is THE solution for recording sat on your computer and viewing on your TV. It's the bizness! The interface is 10 feet viewable, so you don't need to be at your desktop to control it.
I advise you give it a try.
You need an IR transmitter (IR200L or USB UIRT) for sat control. Meanwhile you can try it without to see if you like the software. I suspect you will.
Eric

[DJ-phYre]

I need about a 15ft S-Video and Audio cables... Is there anywhere that sells these cheap?

[DJ-phYre]

Also... the IR is not the same as the remote lol

I thought it was

[merk]

http://www.pacificcable.com/S_Video.htm

just found that place. prices dont seem bad $9 for 12 foot and $14 for 25 foot s-video. and audio is cheaper then that.

also, i think BTV has a 15 or 30 day trial. so you can download it and give it a try without having to buy it first.

[DJ-phYre]

I just sent back my ATI TV Wonder Pro.... so I was going to buy the PVR and BTV software together hoping to save some money

[SmokyMtnz]

Originally Posted by DJ-phYre

I need about a 15ft S-Video and Audio cables... Is there anywhere that sells these cheap?

I bought mine on eBay from jdmadera. His eBay listing is at Cables Link. Good quality and I've had no problems at all. I purchased the 25' S-video with two RCA. Only $6.25 now. I will buy again if I need to.

[DJ-phYre]

Originally Posted by SmokyMtnz

I bought mine on eBay from jdmadera. His eBay listing is at Cables Link. Good quality and I've had no problems at all. I purchased the 25' S-video with two RCA. Only $6.25 now. I will buy again if I need to.

I found his eBay store earlier... but didn't know if the cables were quality, thanks for the tip!

[dequire]

Originally Posted by merk

not sure about the sattelite box ... i think it can do that. I just have mine plugged right into the cable line since i dont have any scrambled channels i worry about.

My setup works great with an RCA Sat Box via cable purchased from SS. Just check to make sure your model is supported!

Originally Posted by merk

as for the remote ... i would probably get that as well. I didnt get one for myself because i got a wireless keyboard and mouse instead since i needed a keyboard and mouse anyhow. although i am considering getting the remote too now since it seems like it would be easier with the remote then with the keyboard/mouse.

My Firefly is the most critical element (esp in terms of Bang-for-the-buck) in increasing the WAF (The oft mentioned Wife Acceptance Factor)!

[dequire]

Originally Posted by DJ-phYre

I need about a 15ft S-Video and Audio cables... Is there anywhere that sells these cheap?

Radio Shack

[homebuiltXP]

Originally Posted by dequire

Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ-phYre
I need about a 15ft S-Video and Audio cables... Is there anywhere that sells these cheap?


Radio Shack

Radio shack cheap???? where are you from, every Radio Shack I've been in, the prices are ridiculously high for cabling & other sundries. (CD players, TV's, etc can also be dearer than other stores.) & the associate in the 1 in my town doesn't even know what he's selling so they can't say that you're paying for product knowledge.

[dequire]

Well, there's always eBay!